I am really pleased to be able to start this edition’s article with some good news. As many will know the Government is setting great store by its Levelling Up agenda. For too long this has been perceived, and in some cases operated, as something solely for the benefit of Northern England and the large post-industrial towns. In my discussions with Ministers, I have urged that it be broken down into three distinct parts: rural, coastal and urban. Because many schemes and proposals in rural areas are smaller in nature (but not less large in beneficial impact) when compared to their urban competition we often lose out as it is often easier to demonstrate the ‘bang for the buck’ with larger projects.
The Government has just announced its deliberations on Community Ownership Fund Round 3 Window 1 (I know it’s not the snappiest of titles). In a letter received by me from the Minister he states: “levelling up is about safeguarding the small, but much-loved assets of which we cannot put a price”. Round 3 has had £12.3millions to dispense (the total fund is £150millions). Thus far, £49.3millions has been allocated supporting 195 projects. Round 3 has awarded money to 45 projects and two of them are in North Dorset! Significant sums have been awarded to support the community’s purchase of the Old Ox Inn in Shillingstone. Whenever there is a budget or financial event looming, I am usually inundated with requests to lobby the Chancellor to freeze or cut alcohol duty and support pubs in other ways. So, I know the importance that many put on their local pub – they are community centres, meeting places and beating hearts of villages. I supported the bid and am delighted to see it its success. With the engaged community of Shillingstone work to raise match funding this will secure the pub’s future and the social life of the village. At the heart of Blandford and very much at the centre of community and civic life in much of North Dorset is the ever-impressive Corn Exchange. The Town Council and others have worked hard to pull together a compelling bid, which, again, I was delighted to support. It too has been successful helping to preserve, conserve and improve this significant town centre building. In all, North Dorset has secured circa £650k in this funding round. My hope is that improvement works to the Corn Exchange, allied to the major restoration project we have seen at the church, will help Blandford Town centre succeed and flourish.
My second point I wish to touch on is the issue of XL Bully dogs and the proposals to ban them. There are a few of these dogs in North Dorset and two owners have been to see me recently to discuss the issue. I am both a dog lover and a lover of individual freedoms. As a Conservative our first instinct is not to ban. I am conscious of the inadequacies of some facets of the Dangerous Dogs Act and the pressing need to review it. I am also naturally suspicious of legislation being rushed on an ’something must be done; this is something; let us do this’ approach. However, having seen, as many of us will have, footage of these dogs not just attacking people and other animals but also being uncontrollable as they do so, my instinct is that public projection requirements must be the dominant motivator. It is a difficult issue to get right and I would like to hear your thoughts on the proposal to ban and also other means you think might be useful for safeguarding the public. Please email me: [email protected]
